An investigation into two racially charged photos at the University of North Dakota has concluded that those involved did nothing that violates the student code of conduct or any laws.

The university announced on its Facebook page that the decision by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities was driven by the Constitution's protection of free speech and said the investigation is now closed.

The two posts distributed on social media within two days of each other in September were widely denounced.

The other showed a selfie of smiling students above the caption, "Locked the black bitch out."

The university says in Wednesday's Facebook post it is restricted in the details it can disclose about the incidents because of privacy laws.

University president still appalled

After the posts first appeared, UND President Mark Kennedy called them inexcusable and said "We must demand better of ourselves and our university community."

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

On Wednesday Kennedy added his own message to the university's Facebook post.

"I continue to be appalled that photos with racially-charged messages were conceived and disseminated," Kennedy wrote. He added: "(E)ven though free speech is protected, that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t condemn expressions that are hurtful to others."